Forestry

Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species
of trees, wild shrubs, or vines in a local forested area. Write a description
in which you identify and discuss the following:

The characteristics of leaf, twig, cone, or fruiting bodies

The habitat in which these trees, shrubs or vines are found.

The important ways each tree, shrub, or vine is used by humans
or wildlife and whether the species is native or was introduced
to the area. If it is not native, explain whether it is considered
invasive or potentially invasive.

Do ONE of the following:

Collect and identify wood samples of 10 species of trees. List
several ways the wood of each species can be used.

Find and examine three stumps, logs, or core samples that show
variations in the growth rate of their ring patterns. In the field
notebook you prepared for requirement 1, describe the location or
origin of each example (including elevation, aspect, slope, and
the position on the slope), and discuss possible reasons for the
variations in growth rate. Photograph or sketch each example.

Find and examine two types of animal, insect, or disease damage
to trees. In the field notebook you prepared for requirement 1,
identify the damage, explain how the damage was caused, and describe
the effects of the damage on the trees. Photograph or sketch each
example.

Do the following:

Describe contributions forests make to:

Our economy in the form of products.

Our social well-being, including recreation

Soil protection and increased fertility.

Clean water.

Clean air. (carbon cycling, sequestration)

Wildlife habitat

Fisheries habitat

Threatened and endangered species of plants and animals

Tell which watershed or other source your community relies on
for its water supply.

Describe what forest management means, including the following:

Multiple-use management

Sustainable forest management

Even-aged and uneven-aged management and silvicultural systems
associated with each type.

Intermediate cuttings.

The role of prescribed burning and related forest management
practices.

With your parent's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:

Visit a managed public or private forest area with its manager
or a forester familiar with it. Write a brief report describing
the type of forest, the management objectives, and the forestry
techniques used to achieve the objectives.

Take a trip to a logging operation or wood-using industrial
plant and write a brief report describing:

The species and size of trees being harvested or used and
the location of the harvest area or manufacturer.

The origin of the forest or stands of trees being utilized
(e.g., planted or natural)

The forest's successional stage. What is its future?

Where the trees are coming from (land ownership) or where
they are going (type of mill or processing plant)

The products that are made from the trees

How the products are made and used.

How waste materials from the logging operation or manufacturing
plant are disposed of or utilized.

Take part in a forest-fire prevention campaign in cooperation
with your local fire warden, state wildfire agency, forester, or
counselor. Write a brief report describing the campaign, how it
will help prevent wildfires, and your part in it.

In your camp, local recreation area (park or equivalent), or neighborhood,
inventory the trees that may be a hazard to structures or people. Make
a list by area (campsite, road, trail, street, etc.). Note the species
and hazardous condition, and suggest a remedy (removal or trimming).
Make your list available to the proper authority or agency.

Do the following:

Describe the consequences to forests that result from FIVE of
the following elements: wildfire, absence of fire, destructive insects,
loss of pollinating insect population, tree diseases, air pollution,
overgrazing, deer or other wildlife overpopulation, improper harvest,
and urbanization.

Explain what can be done to reduce the consequences you discussed
in 7a.

Describe what you should do if you discover a forest fire and
how a professional firefighting crew might control it. Name your
state or local wildfire control agency.

Visit one or more local foresters and write a brief report about
the person (or persons). Or, write about a forester's occupation including
the education, qualifications, career opportunities, and duties related
to forestry.

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